2012 NCAA Football Features

Each Monday, WhatIfSports.com's NCAA college football simulation engine will provide you with game predictions for every D-1 FBS game that upcoming week. The college football simulation engine generates detailed information for each game including each team's chances of winning (Win%) and the average points scored for both teams. Make sure to share the college football information you gained here with your friends by either checking out our NCAA football widgets on the WhatIf To Go page or clicking on the social networking share bar at the top and bottom of this article.

The statistical inputs to the thousands of college football simulations are based on rigorous analysis of each team's roster, depth charts and statistically based player rankings. Roster modifications are made in cases of injury or suspension and those players are removed from their team's game simulation for that week.

Game of the Week: Oregon State at Stanford

If you scanned any of the Pac-12 box scores from Week 10 or any of Oregon's this season, this may not come as a surprise to you. Nine of the 12 teams in the conference average more than 24 points per game with 10 of those 12 squads allowing 22 or more points per game. In other words, defense is optional for the majority of the Pac-12 with the exception of two teams: Oregon State (18.1 points allowed per game) and Stanford (16.6 points allowed per game).

The Beavers and Cardinal both excel against the rush with both units ranked in the top five nationally, allowing less than 100 yards on the ground per game. Unfortunately, as is expected, the two schools' pass defense isn't that stout. Oregon State is 77th against the pass, allowing more than 247 yards per game. However, they have picked off 14 passes compared to eight touchdowns allowed. Likewise, Stanford allows over 266 yards via the pass each game, but have 11 interceptions with nine touchdowns allowed.

OSU quarterback Cody Vaz took the starting gig away from Sean Mannion after he threw four picks in a loss to Washington. Mannion missed two previous games after undergoing knee surgery. Coach Riley said last week Vaz is playing just a bit better right now. He passed for 267 yards with three touchdowns and one pick against Arizona State last Saturday. He's thrown seven touchdowns with one interception, while completing 55.9 percent of his passes.

As has been the case in the past, the Cardinal are balanced on offense with a passing game averaging just over 200 yards passing and a rushing attack that averages over 166 yards per game. Stepfan Taylor remains the workhorse in Stanford's backfield with 206 carries for 947 yards and eight touchdowns.

We simulated the Cardinal and Beavers 101 times and it's the Cardinal winning 51.5 percent of the time by an average score of 24-23.